The Winmau World Masters Last 16 delivered an unforgettable day of darts, highlighted by reigning champion Luke Humphries achieving a perfect nine-dart finish in his dramatic victory over Luke Woodhouse. Alongside this historic moment, top contenders like Gerwyn Price, Chris Dobey, Gian van Veen, James Wade, Josh Rock, Luke Littler, and Danny Noppert fought through thrilling encounters, often coming back from behind to secure their spots in the highly anticipated quarter-finals. Get ready for more intense action as the tournament progresses!
Humphries Hits Perfection in Nail-Biting Clash
In perhaps the most talked-about match of the day, defending champion Luke Humphries delivered a sensational nine-dart finish in the second set against Luke Woodhouse, taking a commanding 2-0 lead. A nine-dart finish, for those unfamiliar, is the ultimate achievement in darts, where a player completes a 501-point leg in the minimum possible nine throws, typically with two treble 20s and a double 18, or variations ending on a double. However, Woodhouse, making his debut, showed incredible resilience, fighting back from 3-1 down to level the match and force a deciding set. The tension was palpable as the match went to an agonizing final leg, with Humphries even missing four match darts before finally securing the win.
Both players contributed to an epic duel, collectively hitting seventeen 180s and maintaining a strong 44% success rate on their doubles. Woodhouse himself made five attempts at a nine-darter, proving his impressive form. Ultimately, it was Humphries’ championship pedigree that shone through, keeping his quest to retain the Winmau World Masters title alive.
Morning Session Thrillers: Comebacks and Clutch Finishes
Dobey Denies Heta in Opening Battle
The day kicked off with an immediate classic as Chris Dobey and Damon Heta faced off. Australia’s number one, Heta, staged a fierce comeback, reeling off four successive legs to fight back from a 3-1 deficit and push the match into a deciding set. However, 2023 Masters winner Dobey refused to be beaten. He produced a stunning 127 finish on the bullseye before holding his throw to advance to the Last 8 for the first time since his title win three years prior. Dobey, nicknamed ‘Hollywood’, will now face Gerwyn Price in the quarter-finals.
Price Powers Through Clayton in Welsh Derby
Gerwyn Price, ‘The Iceman’, secured his quarter-final spot by defeating his World Cup partner Jonny Clayton 4-3 in a dramatic last-leg decider. Price, who had an impressive 102+ average, initially trailed 2-0. He then roared back with four 100+ checkouts, showcasing his incredible scoring ability. Despite squandering five match darts in the closing stages, Price delivered a crucial 14-dart leg at the perfect moment, reaching his first Winmau World Masters quarter-final in four years.
Van Veen’s Doubling Dominance Over Aspinall
Gian van Veen’s exceptional doubling display was the key to his 4-2 victory over Nathan Aspinall. The Dutch number one hit an impressive 56% of his attempts at the outer ring, a stark contrast to Aspinall’s 19%. ‘The Asp’ started strongly, averaging over 110 after two sets, but the reigning European Champion rallied with clinical finishing, continuing his dominant debut at the Winmau World Masters. Van Veen will meet James Wade in the Last 8.
Wade’s Veteran Comeback Against Anderson
The 2014 Masters champion, James Wade, fought back from 2-0 down to defeat fellow veteran Gary Anderson 4-3. Anderson initially appeared in control, but the unpredictable nature of the Winmau World Masters saw Wade surge back, including a trademark 120 finish to level the score at 2-2. In the deciding leg, Anderson agonizingly bust his score, leaving the door open for a grateful Wade to reach the Masters quarter-finals for the eighth time in his career.
Evening Session Highlights: Rising Stars and Clinical Wins
Rock Rocks Cross to Secure Quarter-Final Debut
Josh Rock kicked off the evening session with a commanding 4-1 victory over former World Champion Rob Cross, earning his first-ever spot in the quarter-finals. Cross started with intent, breaking Rock’s throw in the opening leg, but ‘Rocky’ immediately broke back and secured the first set. After Cross leveled in the second, Rock found another gear, reeling off legs of 11 and 14 darts in the third set, sweeping the next 2-0, and closing out the match in style with 14- and 15-dart legs.
Littler Continues Dominance Over Smith
World number one Luke Littler averaged almost 108 to overcome a determined Ross Smith in a 4-1 win, marching into the quarter-finals where he will face Josh Rock. Littler, who survived a match dart in the previous round, faced no such peril in the Last 16, logging a blistering 116 average as he claimed the first set. Despite Smith pulling one set back and hitting a fine 101 checkout, Littler’s dominance was clear, dispatching 92 to seal his place in the Last 8.
Noppert’s Flawless Performance Against Bunting
Arguably the day’s most emphatic statement came from Danny Noppert, who conceded only a single leg to 2023 Masters winner Stephen Bunting on his way to a resounding 4-0 victory. ‘The Freeze’ started incredibly strong with a 12-dart leg and never looked back, averaging 107+ in the opening set. Bunting, despite getting a consolation leg in the third set, was ultimately overwhelmed by Noppert’s clinical performance. Noppert will now face world number two and defending champion Luke Humphries in what promises to be a thrilling quarter-final.
The Quarter-Final Line-Up is Set!
After a day filled with incredible darts, the stage is now set for the quarter-finals. Here are the matchups:
- Chris Dobey vs. Gerwyn Price
- James Wade vs. Gian van Veen
- Josh Rock vs. Luke Littler
- Danny Noppert vs. Luke Humphries
The excitement continues tomorrow with the quarter-finals in the afternoon session, followed by the semi-finals and final in the evening. Don’t miss out on the climax of the 2026 Winmau World Masters!
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
